Chapter 20: Adelie's Training

Adelie

The morning meal was unusually hushed. It was ironic, really. Just when Kairos and I were beginning to find common ground, Alpha Hans had to show up. I never thought I’d see him again. Life sure is full of surprises.

“Adelie, when will you choose your mate?” Jasmin’s question hung in the air. This wasn’t casual conversation. It was thoughtless of her to bring it up in front of Kairos. I could tell my indecision was causing him more pain than it was me, even if he didn’t show it.

I shot Jasmin a glare. She nonchalantly wiped her mouth with her finger and set down her toast. “You seem conflicted. If you’d just accept the mark your werewolf so desperately needs,” she said, rolling her eyes.

Jasmin had a deep-seated hatred for werewolves. She didn’t even try to hide it. She despised the whole concept of having a mate. “You’d be stronger. And it could happen sooner,” she added.

“What could happen sooner?” I asked.

Jasmin hesitated. “The prophecy…” she said. “If you learn faster, it could happen earlier.” She seemed less confident now. Was she hiding something?

“Who’s in your heart?” she asked, steering the conversation away from the prophecy.

I knew who I loved more. Seeing Alpha Hans again had clarified things for me. But I needed time.

I chose not to respond to Jasmin. What was the point?

“Fine then. I’ll be waiting,” Jasmin said, rolling her eyes. She got up from the table and left.

Once she was gone, I turned to Kairos. “I... I’ve made my decision. I’ve always known. I just need a little more time,” I said. I still needed to talk to Alpha Hans. What if he said something that changed my mind?

“Will it be in my favor?” he asked. I didn’t want to answer yet. “Or did you make it clear yesterday?” he asked, his voice filled with anger. He stormed out of the house.

He had every right to be angry. I’d been lying to him since day one.

I’d told him he’d hurt me the most. And it was true...

I glanced at the clock. It was time for my training. Outside, I ran into Nathan who walked me to the training grounds. Jasmin was already there, waiting impatiently.

I looked back and saw the Dark Moon’s pack training. Kairos was directing them. My eyes landed on Alpha Hans.

He was following orders diligently. He must have felt my gaze because he looked up and smiled at me. It was such a tender smile, I couldn’t help but smile back. Kairos saw us and I had to look away.

“Adelie, we don’t have all day,” Jasmin said as Nathan left for his training. “Today, I want you to try something different.” She picked up a cloth bag and gently pulled out a metal square. It looked ordinary.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Only one person has ever been able to open it. This box hasn’t been opened in centuries,” she explained.

There were no visible seams on the box. “The person who opened it was like you. A death angel with nymph blood,” she said.

“What’s so special about it?” I asked.

Jasmin seemed lost in thought. “It’s a mystery. Maybe you can open it. Just take it and see what you can do,” she said, handing me the box.

Jasmin averted her gaze, but I was drawn to the box. I cradled it in my hands, eyes shut tight. The other person was part Death, part nymph. Maybe if I combined both, it could work.

I focused my thoughts, letting them drift back to old memories.

“Darling, I’m doing this to protect you. Your powers are more potent than you realize.

“Never let anyone know about your abilities. Never trust anyone with your powers. You must continue to hide.

“I’m sorry you have to live this way, but it’s the only way I know to shield you from a harsh world,” my mother had whispered, holding me close.

That was the day she gave me my first cape. I was only eight.

My mind journeyed through my past, pausing at certain memories.

“You’re a nymph, Adelie. Your purpose is to protect nature,” my mother had told me during a full moon walk in the forest.

The memories kept flooding in.

“Be good, Adelie. Kindness brings love and joy.”

Suddenly, a vision appeared. It wasn’t a memory. My mother, dressed in white, was being washed over by water. She looked real, yet ethereal, floating amidst blue clouds.

She leaned in close. “That box contains evil, Adelie,” her voice echoed around me.

She extended her hand, revealing a golden key enveloped in black smoke—the same smoke that sometimes emanated from my fingertips.

“It’s your choice,” she said. My choice to unleash evil or not. Jasmin wanted me to open it. She was my mentor. Could I defy her?

I could have taken the key. But evil... I didn’t want that. I shook my head. She smiled at me, a proud look in her eyes, and put a finger to her lips. Was she asking me to keep this a secret?

She started to fade. No! I needed her here. I reached out, but she was gone in an instant, leaving me standing in a field with the metal box in my hands.

I turned to Jasmin. “What happened?” she asked.

I couldn’t tell her. “Nothing, I just blacked out,” I lied. Jasmin seemed to exhale in relief. She came over, took the box from me, and placed it back in the cloth bag.

“Well, I have nothing else for you today,” she said. “I have some business in town. You’re free to go,” she added, before hurrying away.

I glanced at the training ground. People were cheering, gathered in a crowd. It didn’t seem right to leave just yet, even if they were having fun. This was still training.

I made my way through the crowd. People moved aside to let me pass. I wanted to see what was causing all the excitement.

Once I had a clear view, I saw Nathan sparring with one of Dark Moon’s top warriors, Luke.

Luke was struggling. He was taking hit after hit, not blocking anything. He was good at enduring pain, but not at fighting back. Nathan landed a few punches on his side, and Luke crossed his arms in front of him, signaling Nathan to stop.

The crowd erupted in cheers for Nathan.

Nathan stopped immediately. “You okay?” He asked Luke. Surprisingly, Luke wasn’t angry. He smiled at Nathan. “I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not the best,” he admitted, shaking Nathan's hand.

Kairos then spoke up. “Anyone else want to challenge my best fighter?” he asked, scanning the crowd. For a moment, his gaze lingered on me, but he quickly looked away.

No one responded. “Very well,” Kairos said, looking down, hands clasped behind his back. He seemed deep in thought.

“Luna Adelie!” he called out, causing my eyes to widen. “How was your training?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips. It was an odd question to ask in front of everyone.

“Jasmin had to leave, so it ended early,” I replied, ignoring the awkwardness of the situation.

“Are you feeling well?” He asked. His questions were getting stranger by the minute. Everyone seemed as puzzled as I was.

“Of course,” I answered.

Kairos moved a bit closer. “How about taking on a few fighters at once?” he suggested, his tone steady. My jaw nearly dropped in surprise.

A few? What did he mean by that?

“But...I’m not trained...I can’t fight like that,” I protested. I had no training in combat.

Kairos’ smirk returned. “Maybe it would help if you used your created warrior,” he suggested. At that, my smile widened. He was referring to my root creature.

I was eager to summon my warrior again. To test him, to test myself. I was so thrilled, I didn’t even respond. I just retreated to a clear space.

I closed my eyes, picturing him standing among us. I imagined vines and roots growing, intertwining, bending and breaking in places.

They grew stronger until I heard the ground crack. My warrior had awakened. A humanoid figure made of roots stood behind me.

I glanced at the crowd. My pack looked on with pride, while the Dark Moon pack watched in fear and awe. They’d heard of me, but I guess they’d never seen anything like this. I felt a surge of pride, confidence in the creature that now stood still, awaiting my command.

“Do you know how strong it is?” Kairos asked. I shook my head. “If it gets hurt, does it hurt you too?” he continued.

“I don’t think so. He follows my commands and my thoughts, but we’re not the same,” I explained. I didn’t feel a connection with him. He was my servant.

“Alright,” Kairos announced, turning to the crowd. “Nathan, Raphael, Alpha Hans, and two of your best fighters,” he called out. Raphael and Nathan stepped forward.

Alpha Hans pointed to two men. “Damien and Adrix.” They stepped forward, followed by Alpha Hans.

“You’ve all heard about our powerful Luna,” Kairos said, eyeing the fighters. “But we’ve yet to see her fight. You’ll be fighting with...” He looked at me.

I guess it needed a name. I shrugged. I didn’t have a name for it either. “...this root creature,” he finished.

“Why aren’t you fighting too?” Alpha Hans asked, looking at Kairos and me.

“I don’t know how injuries to the creature will affect Adelie. If things get out of hand, I need to be here with her,” Kairos explained. Alpha Hans nodded, his jaw tight.

“Fighters, get ready. Everyone else, step back,” Kairos instructed, looking at the creature behind me.

The creature stood still as Kairos approached. They were the same height, but the creature was broader.

The crowd was buzzing with anticipation. I took the opportunity to approach Kairos. “Are you scared?” I asked.

Kairos exhaled. “I don’t know,” he admitted, tilting his head slightly. “Haven’t you heard? I’m a monster. Heartless and cruel. Can I be scared if I’m so scary myself?”

“You’re none of those things,” I countered. I knew Kairos was good, he just didn’t believe it himself. “You’re a good man. I know you are. I want you to see it too. I want you to love the world around you.”

Kairos laughed, but it was bitter.

“I’m not good. I hurt you, and I hate myself for making you bleed. When you choose him, I promise I’ll be good. I’ll love the world like I should have a long time ago,” he said.

He was convinced I would choose Alpha Hans over him. He wanted to be good, but he already was. He just couldn’t see it.

One question nagged at me. Was he really afraid of what I might do? Was that why he was holding back?

“Did you hang back...” I struggled to find the right words. “Because you thought I might...” I couldn’t complete my sentence. Was he worried I’d cause harm like Mia had?

“What?” He questioned.

I shook my head, dismissing it. “Never mind.”

Kairos swiveled to face me. “I hung back because I’m worried about you. I don’t want you to harm yourself. And yes, I’m ensuring you don’t lose control,” he clarified.

He went on. “I’m not afraid you’ll hurt anyone. I know you wouldn’t. But I need to ensure it’s safe since this is your first time,” he added.

That was all I needed to hear. He didn’t see me as a threat, he was just being a responsible Alpha, ensuring everything was safe. Yet, he still questioned his own worthiness, even when he was doing things like this.

Kairos moved past me, addressing the fighters. “Are you ready?” he asked. They all nodded in response. He glanced back at me. “Adelie?” I nodded too, positioning myself behind my creature to stay out of the way.

Soon, Kairos was by my side again. He leaned in, whispering. “If anything feels wrong, or if you’re in pain, tell me. I’ll be right here.” I offered him a grateful smile.

Nervousness began to creep in. My palms were sweaty, my heart pounding. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

“Fighters!” His voice rang out, loud and clear. “Begin!”